Kiran Bedi on Wednesday advised students in Patna to work hard to achieve success and an audience member decided to record the inspirational tips on his cellphone.

While addressing students of Arcade Business College at a seminar at Rabindra Parishad, the first woman IPS officer said: “There is no substitute for hard work. I can say it with conviction because of my experiences.”

She said as a school student, she would walk 5-6km everyday to keep fit. “I was a tennis player. So it was important for me to keep in shape. I would wake up at five in the morning to walk,” said the social activist and member of India Against Corruption.

While listening to the inspirational speech, bachelor of business management student Dayashankar Pandey switched on the recorder on his cellphone. “I did not want to miss a word. I feared that I might forget some of the advice. So I recorded the speech on my cellphone,” he said.

But not everyone feared that their memory would disappointment them. Neha Kumar, a BCA Part II student, said she would forever remember the moment when she shook hands with Bedi. “My heartbeat increased when I shook her hand,” she said. “I shall tell my friends about this and they will be jealous.”

Bedi was all praises for the climate of change in Patna. “I have come to the city many times but this is the first time I am feeling so good about it,” she said. “I got a positive vibe from the students. Everyone here wants to be successful.”

She even tweeted later: “Patna different from my last visit. Time bound service delivery systems delivering! Law and order on track! People punctually reporting...”

As a recipe for success, Bedi advised students to have at least three career options. “If you fail to get your desired job, you should have a second and a third alternative,” she said. Bedi also advised the youths not to continue with a job that they do not like. “Don’t continue with a job that you don’t like because if you are not interested in it, you will not be able to give your cent per cent to it. Whatever profession you choose, do your work honestly and try to give something back to the society that has nurtured you.”

She also advised the ambitious youths to respect their parents. “One can never achieve anything without their contribution. So we should always respect our parents,” said Bedi.